Breaktime Tech Talks
A bite-sized tech podcast for busy developers where we’ll briefly cover technical topics, new snippets, and more in short time blocks. Your host, Jennifer Reif, is an avid developer and problem-solver with special interest in data, learning, and all things technology.
- Update frequency
- every 7 days
- Average duration
- 10 minutes
- Episodes
- 55
- Years Active
- 2024 - 2025
Ep55: Demystifying MCP + Future of Vibe Coding and RAG
Explore the latest challenge with Neo4j vector indexes, demystify Model Context Protocol (MCP), and hear insights on vibe coding and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG).
What's Inside:
- Confusion ar…
Ep54: Spring AI Integrations + Real-World RAG Challenges
Hear my latest hands-on experiences and lessons learned from the world of AI, graph databases, and developer tooling.
What’s Inside:
- The difference between sparse and dense vectors, and how Neo4j ha…
Ep53: Language Models for Data Tasks + MCP Journey Begins
Ep52: Enhancing AI with Spring Advisors + GraphRAG Python Adventures
Ep51: Exploring AI Agents + Agentic GraphRAG in Java
Ep50: GraphRAG with Advisors + Spring AI Concepts
It's the 50th episode of Breaktime Tech Talks! And to celebrate, I launched a podcast feedback form for you, my listeners.
In this 50th episode, follow my latest explorations into Spring AI and Graph…
Ep49: Moving toward AI Tools/Agents + Local RAG app with Quarkus
This week, I simplified my Langchain4j project with improved prompt variable injection. Then hear my perspective on the role of tools vs. agents in AI workflows—looking at how structured processes di…
Ep48: Java GraphRAG and Langchain4j 1.0 + Thoughts on conversational interfaces
This week, there were quite a few things I learned:
- Common steps for implementing GraphRAG in Java using Spring AI and Langchain4j, highlighting key differences in setup and customization.
- Study pre…
Ep47: Langchain4j GraphRAG Friction + MCP Authorization Headaches
In this episode, I share some hands-on insights from building apps with Langchain4j using Quarkus and Neo4j, and compare it with Spring AI—especially around how each framework handles vector search a…
Ep46: Quarkus Neo4j Application + Development Lessons Learned
- 🔗 Building a starter application with Quarkus Neo…
Ep45: Exploring Java Frameworks + Launch of Spring AI 1.0
In this episode, I have some exciting technical updates, along with insights from my recent work and learning. Topics covered include:
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📝 Neo4j Java Driver & Object Mapping – My latest blog post and…
Ep44: Updates in Java tools + MCP and Security
In this episode, we dive into three key updates from the world of Java development and emerging tech standards:
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First, walk through a new feature in the Neo4j Java driver (v5.28.5) that enables lig…
Ep43: MCP Java SDK + Naive RAG vs GraphRAG
In this episode, we dive into the latest upgrades in Neo4j tooling, along with recent bug fixes and enhancements in the LLM Knowledge Graph Builder. We also explore a new preview feature for Java obj…
Ep42: RAG and Java + AI-generated content and MCP
Star Wars Day is nearly here, and this episode is stacked with tech goodness to celebrate! I’m diving into highlights from the Neo4j ecosystem, starting with an early look at the Using Neo4j with Jav…
Ep41: Spring AI M7, NODES, RAG + Neo4j, Quarkus, and Intelligent Apps
In this episode, we unpack a busy week of updates, learning, and cool tech! From Spring AI’s milestone 7 release with simplified Pinecone configuration to some tricky wifi, I walk through recent chan…
Ep40: Recent AI learnings + More than a vector database
Fresh from the Arc of AI conference, I’m unpacking the biggest insights that stuck with me—ranging from the extremes of AI’s capabilities to the deeper implications for how we build and maintain our …
Ep39: Why embedding models should match + Advice for starting a blog
In this podcast episode, hear about my hands-on experience (code repository on Github) understanding the importance of using the same embedding models for both creating and searching vector embedding…
Ep37: Vector Database Frustration + Microsoft LazyGraphRAG
In this episode, I discuss my challenges exploring vector databases for an upcoming demo. From what is a vector database to integration issues, hear how I tried a few different approaches with limite…
Ep36: What is a Developer Advocate + Balancing Digital Consumption
This week, I explored the Javalin Java framework and project decisions I'm trying to make. I also answer: What exactly does a Developer Advocate/Evangelist/Devrel do? Finally, I reflect on an article…